Thomas langston



(No Model.)

T. LANGSTON.

LANTERN. No. 283,258. "y-eme-d Aug. 14, 1883.

UNITED STATES THOMAS LANGSTON, or nnronn, CONNECTICUT, MILLER & Co., orSAME PLACE.

PATENT OFFICE.

ASSIGNOR TO now.

LANTERN SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 283,258, datedAugust 14, 188?, I

Application filed July 5,1883. (No model.)

ToaZZ whom it may, concern Be it known that I, THOMAS LANGSTON, ofMeriden, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, haveinvented a new Improvement in Lanterns; and I do hereby declare thefollowing, When taken in connection with accompanying drawings and theletters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the same, and which said drawings constitute part of thisspecification, and represent,-in

Figure 1, a vertical section taken in front or the pinions, Fig. 2, ahorizontal section above a the pinions; Fig. 3, a sectional side view,showing the rack and pinions. I

This invention relates to an improvement in that class of lanterns inwhich the globe is an ranged to be moved upward to expose the wick forlighting or trimming and then returned without necessarily taking. theglobe from its support. Various I devices have been con structed forthis purpose-such, for illustration, as in Patent N 0. 86,549, in whichthe upper holder for the globe is arranged to slide on a vertical tubeand be held by suitable catches in its elevated position, and whenreleased from such catches a spring is applied to force the globedownward and hold it when in its down position. In such case-the suddenor accidental releasing of thebatchthe spring instantly acts with forceto throw the globe down, sufficient frequently to break theglobe, sothat great care is required in the use of such an arrangement. Otherdevices have been constructed for this purpose; but all are subject tothe same accidents.

The object of my invention is to construct the lantern with a mechanicallift for the globe,

whereby such accidents will be avoided; and

it consists in arranging the lower globe-holder upon vertical racksextending downward into connection with I corresponding pinions upon ashaft, the said shaft provided with means for turning it and wherebysuch turning of the shaft in one direction will impart a forced verticalmovement to the globeholder, or turned in the opposite direction willimpart reverse movement to the holder, as more fully hereinafterdescribed.

the holder will be lowered.

In illustrating my invention I show it as applied to a lantern like thatin lPatent No. 86,549, it being understood, however, that I do this onlyas a matter of convenience of illustration, inasmuch as any suitablesupport at any convenient position, Iarrange a horizontal shaft, 0, insuitable bearings, and provide it at its outer end with aknob, D, orother convenient means for turning the shaft. 011

this shaft are two pinions, a a, corresponding,

respectively, to the two racks B B, and working therein, and so that byturning the shaft in one direction the holder A is raised, as seen inbroken lines, or in the opposite direction This mechanical engagement ofthe racks and pinionsmakes the vertical movement of the globe positiveand even. The racks serve also as guides to insure the constant properrelative position of the bottom of the globe to the lamp and avoid thenecessity of fastening the globe in either its up or down position, theracks and pinions easily supporting the globe at any point be tween thetwo extremes wherever the turning of the shaft may happen'to cease.

I have-represented the globe-holder as a common perforated plate 5 butthis holder may be independent of the plate, or the plate may bedispensed with entirely, it only being essential to my invention thatthere shall be a holder for the base of the globe, to which the racksmay be attached.

A spring, E, is arranged around a central support or guide, F, at thetop, to bear upon the upper globe-holder,- but this spring is not.essential, as the upper holder may be secured to the neck of the globe,and the lower end of the globe secured to the lower holder. In thatcase, the parts being held together, the racks will perform the holdingup or, down, or wherever the globe may stand; but a springat the top isdesirable, as is also a guide for the vertical movement of the globe;but the vertical guide may be any of the usual constructions,

or the spring applied in any convenient manner. I

I claim 1. In a lantern in which the globe is supported upon a holder atthe bottom, the said holder constructed with vertical toothed racks B,combined with a horizontal shaft, 0, and corresponding pinions, a a,arranged in bear IO ings, substantially as and for the purposedescribed. I

2. In a lantern, the combination of a guide for the vertical movement ofthe upper end of the globe, a globe-holder for the lower end of 15 theglobe, the said lower globe-holder pro- Vided with vertical toothedracks B B, combined with a horizontal shaft and corresponding toothedpinions, a a, substantially as described.

3. In a lantern, the combination of a vertical guide for the upperend'of the globe, a spring the action of which is to force the globedownward, the lower globe-holder provided with vertical racks B B,combined with a horizontal shaft, 0, carrying corresponding pinions, 2 5

a a, substantially as described.

j THOMAS LANGSTON. \Vitnesses:

BENJ. G. KENNARD, LEwIs E. FRosT.

